knows how to refuse without
disobliging, and how to obey with a good Grace; not being ignorant, that
one, who has his Interest most at Heart, sometimes finds his Account in
serving without a Gratification.

Sec. 16. One who sings with a Desire of gaining Honour and Credit, cannot
sing ill, and in time will sing better; and one, who thinks on nothing
but Gain, is in the ready way to remain ignorant.

Sec. 17. Who would ever think (if Experience did not shew it) that a Virtue
of the highest Estimation should prejudice a Singer? And yet, whilst
Presumption and Arrogance triumph (I'm shock'd to think on't) amiable
Humility, the more the Singer has of it, the more it depresses him.

Sec. 18. At first Sight, Arrogance has the Appearance of Ability; but,
upon a nearer View, I can discover Ignorance in Masquerade.

Sec. 19. This Arrogance serves them sometimes, as a politick Artifice to
hide their own Failings: For Example, certain Singers would not be
unconcern'd, under the Shame of not being able to sing a few Barrs at
Sight, if with Shrugs, scornful Glances, and malicious shaking of their
Heads, they did not give the Auditors to understand that those gross
Errors are owing to him that accompanies, or to the _Orchestre_.

Sec. 20. To humble such Arrogance, may it never meet with that Incense
which it expects.

Sec. 21. Who could sing better than the Arogant, if they were not ashamed
to study?

Sec. 22. It is a Folly in a Singer to grow vain at the first Applauses,
without reflecting whether they are given by Chance, or out of Flattery;
and if he thinks he deserves them, there is an End of him.

Sec. 23. He should regulate his Voice according to the Place where he
sings; for it would be the greatest Absurdity, not to make a Difference
between a small Cabinet and a vast Theatre.[94]

Sec. 24. He is still more to be blam'd, who, when singing in two, three, or
four Parts, does so raise his Voice as to drown his Companions; for if
it is not Ignorance, it is something worse.

Sec. 25. All Compositions for more than one Voice ought to be sung strictly
as they are written; nor do they require any other Art but a noble
Simplicity. I remember to have heard once a famous _Duetto_ torn into
Atoms by two renown'd Singers, in Emulation; the one proposing, and the
other by Turns answering, that at last it[95] ended in a Contest, who
could produce the most Extravagancies.

Sec. 26. The Correction of Friends, that have Knowledge,